Carnival Cruise Lines is following the gameplan that theme parks have mastered, offering up big-name musical acts to drum up business.

The Carnival Live Concert Series was announced Thursday with acts such as Jennifer Hudson, Jewel, Lady Antebellum and Chicago set to perform on various cruises in 2014.

Hudson, who got her show business start performing aboard Disney Cruise Line and is the godmother to the Disney Dream will be back to her seafaring ways performing aboard the Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Breeze for two dates in June.

"Performing live is one of my favorite things," Hudson said at a launch event for the event in New York. "I’m excited to be part of this unique concert series that will allow me to interact with my fans in such an intimate and memorable setting."

In total, 49 performances from 15 performers are slated for eight ships sailing out of a variety of ports including four in Florida on sailings from April through the end of the year.

Out of PortMiami, acts will be on either the Carnival Ecstasy or Carnival Breeze. Port Canaveral acts will perform on the Sensation, Port of Tampa acts on the Paradise and Jacksonville sailings will be on the Fascination. Some acts will perform out of Charleston, S.C. and Los Angeles as well.

The musicians will perform while the cruise lines are in port, and will cost attendees $20-$40 for regular admission or $100-$150 for VIP, which includes a meet-and-greet, photos, seating in the first three rows and commemorative laminated concert pass.

On top of the headlining acts, Carnival announced the expansion of what they bill as enhanced shipboard house bands across the entire fleet. Nine of Carnival's 24 ships already feature the bands, which feature both male and female lead singers, more choreography and theming as well as a wider range set list and more interaction with cruisers.

"Onboard entertainment is an important part of the overall guest experience when cruising," said Mark Tamis, senior vice president of guest operations for Carnival Cruise Lines. "With the Carnival Live Concert Series, our guests will enjoy an exclusive performance with one of their favorite artists for an extraordinary value. Combined with our enhanced house bands fleetwide, this is just another example of the many ways we are constantly looking to create even more fun and memorable moments for our guests."

Here is the complete schedule by band, with dates, port of departure, ship and destination: